Phillip McGrand

Phillip McGrand, age 82, of Pelican Rapids, MN, died Monday, November 19, 2018 at Essentia Health, Detroit Lakes, MN.Phillip Francis McGrand was born October 8, 1936 to Clifford and Lillian (Born) McGrand in Stewartville, MN. Phil was baptized in Stewartville where he grew up and graduated from high school in 1954.  In 1955, Phil joined the Air Force and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1959.On September 16, 1959 Phillip was united in marriage to Evelyn Ristau. This marriage was blessed with 5 children, Rochelle, Bradley, Shawne, Hally and Rochelle’s son Justin.  During this time Phillip was a union concrete finisher in Stewartville.  In 1972 the family moved to Pelican Rapids, MN where he dairy farmed until 1989.  Phillip was united in marriage to Jacqueline (Thompson) McGrand on June 9, 1984.Phil worked all over installing marinas from 1989 to 1993 then went back into the concrete business until his retirement due to Parkinson’s. Although he retired, Phillip remained active helping friends and family, entertaining his grandchildren, and working small jobs with his son, Bradley.Phillip had a lifelong love of horses and was a true cowboy at heart. One of his most famous lines to his children and grandchildren was “Ride Baby Ride.” Phillip worked hard, played hard, but mostly he loved hard. He is preceded in death by his parents: Clifford and Lillian; his first wife, Evelyn; daughter, Rochelle; brother, Lavern; sister, Nancy; nephew, Lance Growden; and daughter-in-law, Emily Thompson. He is survived by Jacqueline; sisters: Mary (Roger) Schibursky and Jeannie Born; his children: Bradley, Shawne (Trent) Johnson, Hally and Justin, Julie (Jeff) Rice, Len (Emily Martin) Thompson, and Kari; his grandchildren: Jenna (Rodolfo) Nava, Amanda Pixley, Kellie Orvik, Dana Johnson, Drew Johnson, Nicholas Thompson, Olivia Guzman, Allie Thompson, Zane Brosowki, Sloan Saba, Ryder and Lincoln McGrand; great-grandchildren: Alexandrea, Izack, Avah, Emilia, Ariana, Craig, Lily’ana, Adria, and Maddilynn; and many nieces, nephews, and “adopted kids and grandkids”. Memorials and monetary donations can be given to Bell State Bank, Pelican Rapids, MN.Celebration of Life: Friday, November 30, 2018, at 4:00 p.m. at VFW, Pelican Rapids, MN.Please keep the McGrand family in your thoughts and prayers.